Headline News

Posted: 7/31/2015

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA - Record numbers of guests attended the California State Fair in 2015 and business was incredibly strong for vendors and horse racing during the 17-day annual State Fair. Total attendance grew to 787,833 in 2015, up from 750,445 in 2014. This represented more than 37,000 additional visitors—a 5% increase year over year—that came to Cal Expo to celebrate the best 17 days of summer.

The average daily total attendance was the highest since 2007 at 45,992 and the average daily paid attendance was the highest in 10 years. Paid attendance was up 4.1% from 556,440 to 579,338. The State Fair has run for 17 days since 2013; from 2007-2009 and from 2011-2012 the Fair ran for 18 days. In 2010, the Fair ran for 19 days.

Posted: 7/31/2015

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Gloria Parker, an 86-year-old resident of Carmichael, has received critical acclaim for her narrative on the positive side of aging. According to Parker, most of the literature we read and the media images we see focus on the negative stereotypes of aging. As an author, a senior, and a senior advocate, Parker seeks to change the mindset that aging is a time to dread rather than a time to celebrate.

Utilizing research, her own life experiences, and stories from a group of seniors age 65 to 97, Parker weaves together a compelling and provocative account of how to age gracefully and gratefully. The Other Side of the Story is a thoughtful, insightful book that will make you reexamine your perception of the aging process.

Parker did not begin her writing career until after retirement at the age of 65. Her first published poem, “Coup,” appeared in the International Library of Poetry in 1999. “Seeds of Violence” was published in Treasured Poems of America in 2000. Parker has also had her poems and articles published in a variety of Sacramento-area newspapers.

Story and Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner
Posted: 7/24/2015

The annual mayors’ race is a fundraiser for the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce. Dollars are counted as votes and candidates are actually encouraged to buy their way to victory. The winner has no political power but ribbon-cutting and civic duties are guaranteed. Baby-kissing, dog-petting, and pledge-reciting are among heavier responsibilities; an open car in the Carmichael Elks July 4th Parade is a perk. Since the Chamber is a business organization, the main reward is exposure for candidates’ companies and for the non-profits they choose to help through their campaigns. Current Honorary Mayor is Virginia Stone, an executive for the Oakmont senior residence in Carmichael.

Posted: 7/24/2015

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Employee retention, qualified applicants, and specialized skills are motivating more in-house training and opportunity in the Sacramento area. Internships and probationary and apprenticeship programs are growing as the pool of skilled workers shrinks. For several quarters, an increasing number of Sacramento’s top regional companies have noted growing problems with finding enough qualified applicants (those with specific, often technical skills) and keeping the employees currently on the job. Falling unemployment, recovery from recession years, and an aging workforce are thinning the formerly large numbers applying. Pacific Staffing discovered a “back to the future” approach when polling local companies, finding a vast majority (76%) report having existing or now using more on-the-job training in meeting specific workforce needs in hiring.

Sacramento regional employers were asked, “Is it time for employers to open work to entry levels and train on the job for specific proprietary needs?” Just 23% didn’t have or support on-the-job training, while 1% didn’t answer. The apprentice or “old school” approach to filling employment needs has never gone completely out of style with Sacramento regional companies. As some HR contacts noted when surveyed directly between May 19th and June 19th, 2015, a policy to recruit from local sources and train within the company for specific skills also reaps greater loyalty and individual company and geographic identity.

Founders of BeMoneySmartUSA, Don and Marie Hall (front, center) celebrate their non-profit’s fifth successful year. The couple’s market for farm produce is a success story that spread from Carmichael to other areas.

BeMoneySmartUSA Celebrates Five Years

Story and Photos by Susan Maxwell Skinner
Posted: 7/17/2015

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Six years ago, Don and Marie Hall were aghast at the financial crash that afflicted businesses and families. They wanted to be part of the solution.

“We saw that many young people were great at math and science at school,” says Marie. “They understood numbers but they didn’t understand how to manage money. At the time, there were fewer entry level jobs for young people. We decided to teach personal finance while creating jobs so students could apply skills in real life situations.”

Offers Rebate Programs to Help Customers Conserve

Posted: 7/17/2015

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Suburban Water District (SSWD) has put new outdoor watering restrictions in place that limit landscape irrigation to two days per week on specific days and times.

The new watering guidelines are designed to encourage water reductions in light of the severe drought plaguing California and new directives from the Governor and State Water Resources Control Board to reduce water use. SSWD is required to reduce its water use by 32%.